Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone: Delirium Education in Critical Care

Abstract

Delirium is a serious medical condition that should be considered a medical emergency requiring urgent care to prevent long-term cognitive deficits. The coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has increased the numbers of severely ill patients in the intensive care unit. This increased acuity is accompanied by increased rates of delirium and other serious long-term impairments. Treatment of delirium often varies across the continuum of care which can result in negative outcomes for patients. Based on an in-depth needs assessment of the critical care team at Ball Memorial, a need for increased training and education regarding delirium was identified as the main goal of the capstone project. An educational seminar was created and implemented to provide additional education and training for critical care rehabilitation staff to utilize when interacting with a delirious patient. By providing critical care therapists education in research techniques, communication strategies, and evidence-based delirium management approaches, therapists gained skill and confidence in their ability to advocate for continuous delirium monitoring to provide excellent patient care.